Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hit back at critics of his recent Manchester United team selections, insisting it's not as simple as some people think.
The Norwegian has been heavily criticised for excluding Donny van de Beek from recent teams despite the new United signing offering promise whenever he has featured since arriving at the club. Solskjaer also started Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood on the bench for United's 0-0 draw with Chelsea.
But the United boss claimed the 'relentless' schedule and international commitments mean he has to rotate his squad. United host RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
"It's going to be relentless," Solskjaer told MUTV on United's packed itinerary. "It's easy to be a fan, or to be you and sit and say 'he should be playing, he should be playing', but you don't know what's going on behind the scenes.
"They are tired, they've played lots of internationals now, every three days. And after PSG last time [in 2019] we had a big dip. This time around we've started with a good performance, we got a point and it's something to build from."
Solskjaer also bemoaned the lack of supporters in the stands, believing United may have beaten Chelsea with the help of a rowdy home crowd at Old Trafford.
Fans remain absent due to covid-19 restrictions and are not likely to return for a number of months.
Solskjaer added: "I'm sure if that Stretford End is full, it's going to be a magic night, as so many times in this stadium as they suck that ball into the goal. We just missed that edge.
"Everyone talks about home and away, but it's not really home and away now. It's whoever travels to get to the game and you stay in a hotel so it's more or less the same anyway.
"I have to say I miss the fans so much and the passion that they would give the players."
